As would be expected, a tremendous amount of thought and planning went
into designing the consist of the CZ. Carrying over a tradition from the
Exposition Flyer, an Observation Lounge was provided for Pullman passengers.
But this was not to be an "ordinary" Observation...it would combine the
best of all worlds, with the sleek styling of the Burlington's pioneering
Zephyrs, along with a Vista-Dome above. Because of a desire to provide
the traveling public something to look forward to after the official inauguration,
the Observation cars were withheld from "preview" service on the Flyer.

The
Dome Observation was a "signature" feature of the CZ from the very start,
as can be seen from this 1949 folder. The cut-a-way view on the left was
also featured in several magazine ads.

Designated "CZ-10", the Observation Lounge was equipped with three double-bedrooms,
and a "drawing room", the largest sleeping compartment on the train and
the only one equipped with a "shower bath".

When the train
began running in 1949, the showers weren't initially hooked up. When this
was finally accomplished some months later, the WP hired model Amilee Thompson
to advertise this luxury feature. (WP Mileposts photo)

The cocktail bar under the dome, which cozily seated 12, was decorated
in rose and gray-green. One wall held a large mural by Russell Patterson,
and carved-linoleum artworks by Pierre Bourdelle decorated the lower portion
of the bar. The bar and service counter gleamed in stainless steel. Glass
panels separated the seating area from the corridor.

The
lounge area, with the Russel Patterson murals (left) and the Pierre Bourdelle
linoleum carvings on the bar front (right). Both views are taken from CZ
brochures.

At the bar, from the Beverage
Menu, the passenger could purchase specially bottled Old Forester 100 proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon (in this example, the seal is dated 1950/1955;
collection of Mark S. Thompson, scan courtesy of Gary Becerra). Over the
years, various styles of playing cards were available, as well.

The lounge area was equipped with 11 oversize seats, two of which faced
aft, the rest facing inboard. These were upholstered in reds, greens and
blues. Next to the stairway leading to the dome, a small writing desk was
provided, along with stationary and postcards, which the Zephyrette would
happily mail at the next stop. To provide for a spacious feel, the car's
roof in the lounge area was higher that the rest of the train's roofline.
The dome itself, reserved for the Pullman passengers, was identical to
the other four on the train, and seated 24.

Hedrich-Blessing shot many publicity photos
for the Burlington, most of them in the Chicagocoach yards, which makes one wonder about the mountains outside
the windows.Hedrich-Blessing photo, BRHS collection.

Outside, so that no one would mistake the silver visage that flew past,
the car's fishtail was adorned with a sign that included an etching of
the Golden Gate Bridge, and the train's name spelled out in orange tubular
neon.

Pre-1960 Observation Lounge

Post-1960 Lounge, with Golden Gate photo above the
writing desk.

Stationary available at the writing desk.

Like the rest of the train, the Observation was supposed to feature
a sound system that would carry announcements as well as music. Unfortunately,
whenever a "foreign" car was carried in the consist, it was usually placed
immediately in front of the Observation, and because the system's wiring
was unique to the CZ, this resulted in car being electronically isolated
from the rest of the train. As a consequence, the Zephyrettes would make
the announcements in person to the patrons in the car.

For the convenience of the Pullman passengers, diner reservations were
originally to be made via a special telephone in the lounge, although due
to technical difficulties, it was a feature that was soon dropped. Reservations
were then made with the Zephyrette.

In 1957 the executive management began to consider ways of refurbishing
and "updating" the look of the train. The project, which resulted in the
"Cable Car Room" theme for the Dome Buffet car in 1960, originally also
envisioned a similar theme for the Observation, with the lounge being transformed
into a "Golden Gate Room". Ultimately, these plans were dropped, although
a painting of the famous bridge was hung above the lounge's writing desk.